Hi Friends!
Although there are only a few more weeks until the official start of Fall (according to one source fall officially starts on September 22), apple-based recipes are in full bloom. All of my favorite bloggers and cooking sites have begun to post their favorite apple recipes. I came across this “Apple Pie Snickerdoodle Bars” recipe a few weeks ago on Pinterest and instantly knew I needed to recreate a healthier version, which led to the recreation of these Skinny Apple Pie Cookie Bars.
To create a healthier recipe with less added sugar and fat this meant I would need to start from scratch. The original recipe included a store purchased sugar cookie dough and canned apple pie filling. Both contain substantial amounts of sugar and fat. Therefore I decided to make the dough and apple filling from scratch. I still kept the ingredients simple so that the recipe could be easily prepared in a short amount of time. It goes without saying that creating recipes from simple ingredients also alleviates any possibility of using ingredients with additives.
If you are a fan of apple pie you will love these healthier cookie bars. The sweetened cinnamon apple layer sandwiched in between the two light and airy cookie layers produces a taste much like that of the apple pie, but without all the added sugar and fat. Who doesn’t crave apple pie every fall season? My family was in love with these bars and were shocked by some of the recipe substitutions.
What are your favorite apple recipes?
Enjoy!
Your family’s dietitian,
Skinny Apple Pie Cookie Bars
Ingredients
Cookie crust:
- 3 egg whites
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¾ cup flour
Apple filling:
- 2 medium granny smith apples peeled and sliced as thin as possible
- 1 tablespoon light butter spread (or butter) melted
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon flour
- pinch of ground cloves
- pinch of nutmeg
Additional ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- pinch of cinnamon
- non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
-
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit; spray a 9 x 9 inch glass pan with non-stick cooking spray
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Mix all of the apple filling ingredients together (apple slices, light butter spread, sugar, cinnamon, flour, gloves, and nutmeg) and set aside
-
In a separate bowl whisk together egg whites until they foam; mix in sugar; mix in butter and applesauce; add vanilla, salt, baking powder; add flour and stir well (mixture will be thin)
-
Pour about 2/3 of batter into glass pan; top with apple slice mixture; drizzle remaining batter; sprinkle additional sugar and cinnamon on top
-
Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 28 – 32 minutes or until crispy and golden brown
Recipe Notes
Bars do have a softer consistency and aren't super crunchy.
Gretchen @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
Well I AM an apple pie fan – and I can't wait to make these!! YUM!!
Fall is my favorite season – and I can't wait to get cooking with the amazing apple harvest!! So many options … so little time! 🙂